How long is the Australia and New Zealand Adventure?

The journey is marketed as 20 days including international air travel time. The land program is 18 days and 17 nights.

How large is the group?

This small-group journey welcomes 2 to 16 guests and is hosted by a Now Journey Tour Captain.

Are the flights within Australia and New Zealand included in the land price?

No. Required on-tour air is quoted separately at $1,780 per person and may change at the time of booking.

20-Day Australia & New Zealand Adventure

Australia &
New Zealand

Q: Where does the journey begin and end?

The journey begins in Sydney, Australia, and ends in Auckland, New Zealand.

Two countries. One extraordinary Journey.

Sydney → Uluru → Cairns → Queenstown → Rotorua → Lake Karapiro → Auckland

20 Days Including Air Travel18 Land Days / 17 NightsUp to 16 GuestsTour Captain Hosted

Request a Journey Proposal View Dates & Prices

No obligation. No pressure.

20 DaysIncluding air-travel time

18 DaysLand program

17 NightsSeven hotel bases

2–16 GuestsIntimate small-group travel

SYD → AKLSydney to Auckland

Choose your journey

11-Day Majestic AustraliaAustralia only 20-Day Australia + New ZealandThe complete two-country journey 12-Day New Zealand DiscoveryNew Zealand only

The Journey in One View

From harbor light to Southern Alps.

Begin in Sydney, move into the stillness of Australia's Red Centre and the color of the Great Barrier Reef, then cross to New Zealand for Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Hobbiton and an Auckland finale.

Travel-time note: North American guests generally depart two days before Day 1 because of the International Date Line. The land itinerary itself is 18 days and 17 nights.

“The iconic places are here. So is the time to feel them.”Now Journey · Luxury that feels personal

Air segmentRoad segment

Scroll through destinationsSwipe through destinations

Sydney → Uluru → Cairns → Queenstown → Rotorua → Lake Karapiro → Auckland

Journey Story

The South Pacific unfolds in three acts.

A harbor beginning turns toward the Red Centre and reef, crosses the Tasman into the Southern Alps, then settles into New Zealand's geothermal and pastoral North Island.

Mountain and lake scenery in New Zealand

Sydney to Uluru and the reef; Queenstown and Milford Sound; Rotorua, Hobbiton and Auckland. Three distinct movements, held together by one Tour Captain.

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge at dusk

Chapter one

Harbor to heart.

Three nights in Sydney let the journey begin gently. Then the landscape opens into Uluru, where desert color and the Southern sky create a different sense of scale.

Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park

Chapter two

Reef to Southern Alps.

Tropical Queensland brings reef and wildlife before the journey crosses to Queenstown for Milford Sound, alpine air and a day deliberately left open.

Geothermal landscape near Rotorua, New Zealand

Chapter three

Steam, Shire and skyline.

Rotorua's living geology leads to three nights beside Lake Karapiro and a guided Hobbiton experience. Auckland provides one last harbor and a celebratory finale.

Why Now Journey

Luxury that Feels Personal.

Extraordinary distance feels easier with a genuinely small group, one Tour Captain and thoughtful logistics holding the Journey together.

Genuinely small groups

Just 2 to 16 guests, so the Journey can move naturally without the feel of big-bus touring.

Your personal Tour Captain

One dedicated host provides continuity, practical help and thoughtful recommendations across both countries.

Thoughtful hotel bases

Seven bases and several three-night stays create room to settle in instead of packing every morning.

Curated guided discovery

Local experts, planned admissions and signature experiences bring context to icons and landscapes.

Open time by design

Free days in Sydney, Queenstown and Lake Karapiro leave genuine space for your own interests and pace.

18 Days from Sydney to Auckland

The Complete Itinerary

Every day is presented in full below. Use Expand All or Collapse All to control the complete itinerary.

Chapter One

Days 1–3 · 3 Nights

Sydney

A generous harbor-city beginning, with guided context and a full day to make your own.

Harbor light, at a human pace.

Three nights create room for a hosted arrival, expert local context and a complete day shaped by your own interests.

Day 1Welcome to Sydney

Your Journey begins the moment you arrive in Sydney, where a Now Journey Meet & Greet transfer takes you directly from Sydney Airport to the hotel. The city makes an unforgettable first impression: the Opera House and Harbour Bridge frame a waterfront where urban energy, green parkland and the natural beauty of the harbor meet.

After time to settle in, join your Tour Captain for a relaxed Discovery Walk around the hotel and Circular Quay. This first orientation is designed to help you feel at home in the neighborhood before the group gathers for an included welcome dinner with premium beverages.

Airport Meet & Greet transfer
Discovery Walk
Welcome dinner with premium beverages
Tour Captain hosting

Day 2Sydney in Context

Explore Sydney with a Local Expert Guide who brings the city’s layered story to life. Begin in the historic Rocks district, where sandstone lanes and preserved facades reveal the city’s early foundations, then emerge onto Circular Quay for close views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Continue into the Royal Botanic Garden, where native Australian plantings frame expansive harbor views. Along the way, your guide provides context for the Indigenous heritage of the land and the contrasts that shape Sydney today—historic and modern, urban and coastal, bold and relaxed.

The guided program concludes in the late afternoon. The balance of the day and evening is at leisure, with dinner on your own.

Breakfast
Half-day expert-guided sightseeing
Planned local transportation
Afternoon at leisure

Day 3A Full Sydney Day, Your Way

Today is entirely open, giving you the freedom to experience Sydney at your own pace. Return to the Royal Botanic Garden, follow part of the Bondi to Coogee coastal path, browse the shops and cafes of Surry Hills or Newtown, or take the ferry across the harbor for a different view of the city.

You might spend the afternoon on one of Sydney’s beaches, choose a sailing experience, attend a performance or simply leave the day unscripted. Your Tour Captain is available with recommendations, and dinner is independent tonight.

Breakfast
Full day at leisure
Tour Captain recommendations
Freedom to opt in or slow down

Uluru glowing in the Australian Red Centre

Chapter Two

Days 4–5 · 2 Nights

Uluru · The Red Centre

Desert stillness, changing light and time to experience a living cultural landscape with care.

Stillness at Australia’s center.

Two nights balance a hosted arrival, resort time and the changing colors of Uluru beneath the Southern sky.

Day 4Fly to Uluru

Fly from Sydney into Australia’s Red Centre, watching the landscape open into the vast colors and textures of the outback. On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport, transfer to your chosen accommodation and take time to settle into this remarkable desert setting.

Later, gather with your Tour Captain for a welcome toast marking the group’s arrival at Uluru. The evening continues with an included special dinner beneath the Southern Hemisphere sky.

Breakfast
Airport and hotel transfers
Tour Captain toast
Special dinner

Required on-tour flight: this flight is not included in the land price and is part of the separately quoted on-tour air package.

Day 5The Red Centre, Unhurried

Spend the day enjoying the resort and the extraordinary stillness of the Red Centre. There is time to use the amenities, relax by the pool or simply take in the way the desert light changes across the landscape.

Your Tour Captain may invite you on an included drive into Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park for photography and light walking, subject to the day’s program and conditions. As sunset approaches, gather for a hosted canapé while Uluru shifts through its evening colors, then enjoy the remainder of the night on your own.

Breakfast
Resort leisure time
Tour Captain-hosted sunset canapé
Possible included national-park drive

Tropical rainforest in far north Queensland

Chapter Three

Days 6–8 · 3 Nights

Cairns · Tropical Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef, Australian wildlife and warm-water days in the tropical north.

Reef, rainforest and room to breathe.

A three-night tropical base supports a complete outer-reef day, Australian wildlife and time to slow down.

Day 6North to Cairns

Leave the desert behind and fly north from Ayers Rock to tropical Cairns. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and settle into your three-night base near the waterfront, with the warm air and relaxed rhythm of Queensland setting a completely different tone.

The balance of the afternoon is open for you to unpack, explore the immediate neighborhood or simply slow down after the journey north. Rejoin the group this evening for an included dinner hosted by your Tour Captain.

Breakfast
Airport and hotel transfers
Afternoon at leisure
Included dinner

Required on-tour flight: this flight is quoted separately from the land price.

Day 7Great Barrier Reef

Set out by catamaran for a full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. At the outer reef, choose how you would like to experience this remarkable marine environment: swim, snorkel, enjoy the watercraft or simply take in the color and scale of the reef from the vessel. Lunch is included onboard.

An introductory SCUBA lesson and beginner dive with a Divemaster are also included for guests who wish to try diving. Certified divers may ask about separately priced upgrades, while guests who prefer to remain above the water can enjoy the day at their own pace.

Breakfast and lunch
Full-day reef catamaran
Swimming and snorkeling
Onboard water activities

Choice mattersAsk about substituting a helicopter adventure or spa treatment. Substitutions, any supplement and availability are confirmed in advance.

Day 8Wildlife or a Slower Day

Choose the included visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for an up-close introduction to Australian wildlife. The experience brings together crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos and other native species through a collection of educational presentations and encounters.

If wildlife is not your preference today, ask about an alternative resort experience instead. Later, join your Tour Captain for a canapé, then keep the afternoon and evening free for relaxation or independent exploration. Dinner is at leisure.

Breakfast
Your choice of included experience
Tour Captain canapé
Afternoon at leisure

Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps

Chapter Four

Days 9–11 · 3 Nights

Queenstown · Southern Alps

A trans-Tasman crossing, Milford Sound from water and air, then a day shaped by you.

Alpine drama, with freedom built in.

Milford Sound anchors the chapter while a complete Queenstown day remains open for adventure or an entirely slower pace.

Day 9Cross to Queenstown

Cross the Tasman today as you fly from Cairns to Queenstown. On arrival, the Southern Alps and the clear waters of Lake Wakatipu introduce a landscape dramatically different from tropical Queensland. Transfer to the hotel, freshen up and begin getting acquainted with your new surroundings.

Join your Tour Captain for a relaxed Discovery Walk through central Queenstown, learning the practical landmarks and character of this alpine town. Tonight’s included welcome dinner introduces the cuisine of New Zealand, accompanied by premium beverages and regional wine.

Breakfast
Airport and hotel transfers
Discovery Walk
Welcome dinner with premium beverages

Required on-tour flight: the Australia–New Zealand flight is quoted separately from the land price.

Day 10Milford Sound by Water & Air

Journey into Fiordland National Park for one of New Zealand’s defining landscapes. A scenic cruise carries you through Milford Sound beneath steep mountain walls and cascading waterfalls, revealing the scale and quiet drama of this remote natural setting from the water.

Included round-trip scenic flights connect the experience with Queenstown, offering a remarkable aerial perspective across the Southern Alps and Fiordland’s rugged terrain. Return to Queenstown with the late afternoon and evening at leisure.

Breakfast
Milford Sound cruise
Fiordland National Park
Round-trip scenic flights

Day 11Queenstown, Your Way

A complete day at leisure lets Queenstown become whatever you would like it to be. Choose an adventurous outing, consider a scenic gondola ride, explore the surrounding wine country, book time at a spa or simply enjoy the lakefront and town at an unhurried pace.

Your Tour Captain can help you compare possibilities without filling the day for you. Keep the hours entirely open or select an optional experience that suits your interests. Dinner is independent tonight.

Breakfast
Full day at leisure
Tour Captain recommendations
Freedom to choose your pace

Chapter Five

Days 12–13 · 2 Nights

Rotorua

Geothermal drama, cultural context and a memorable night walk among the redwoods.

Living landscapes and layered culture.

Rotorua pairs geothermal discovery with Māori influence and an illuminated walk through the redwoods.

Day 12Welcome to the North Island

Fly to Rotorua, a North Island region shaped by geothermal forces and rich Māori heritage. Bubbling mud pools, hot springs and volcanic landscapes create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the Journey. After transferring to the hotel and settling in, join your Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk.

This evening begins with an included welcome dinner featuring Māori influence and New Zealand wines. After dinner, experience the Redwoods Altitude Nightlights Treewalk, crossing 28 suspension bridges among redwood trees more than a century old.

Breakfast
Airport and hotel transfers
Welcome dinner
Redwoods Nightlights Treewalk

Required on-tour flight: this flight is quoted separately from the land price.

Day 13Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley with an expert guide for a closer look at Rotorua’s living geothermal landscape. Follow the crater walkways past steaming ground, vividly colored water and other remarkable features while your guide explains the forces that continue to shape the valley.

The route also opens to beautiful views toward the Rotorua lakes, adding a quieter counterpoint to the geothermal drama. Return with the evening at leisure and dinner on your own.

Breakfast
Expert-guided volcanic valley visit
Admission and planned transfers
Evening at leisure

Mountain and lake landscape in New Zealand

Chapter Six

Days 14–16 · 3 Nights

Lake Karapiro · Hobbiton

Three lakeside nights, the Shire at a gentle pace and a full day for personal discovery.

A quieter chapter beside the lake.

Three settled nights make space for Hobbiton, a special dinner and a full day that remains your own.

Day 14Settle Beside Lake Karapiro

Travel from Rotorua toward Lake Karapiro, where tranquil water, rolling hills and vivid green countryside create a softer, more pastoral side of the North Island. The change of pace is intentional, with three nights in one place allowing you to settle into the landscape rather than simply pass through it.

On arrival, make yourself at home at the lodge and enjoy time to take in the surroundings. A hosted canapé reception marks the beginning of this quieter lakeside chapter.

Breakfast
Private group transportation
Lodge canapé reception
Tour Captain hosting

Day 15Special Dinner

Travel into the Waikato countryside for a guided walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Explore the Shire’s rolling green landscape, detailed hobbit holes and gardens while learning how this remarkable setting was created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

The craftsmanship and care woven through the set make the visit immersive whether you are a devoted fan or simply curious to see one of New Zealand’s most imaginative landscapes.

Following our memorable visit to the Shire, we’ll continue the evening with a special dinner, sharing wonderful food, warm hospitality, and stories of the day’s adventures. It’s the perfect way to conclude our journey into the magical world of Hobbiton.

Breakfast
Guided Hobbiton Movie Set visit
Special dinner

Day 16A Lake Day at Leisure

Enjoy an entire day at leisure beside Lake Karapiro. You might arrange a spa appointment, follow one of the nearby walking trails, explore local markets or consider a scenic boat outing on the lake.

This is also an ideal day to do very little—read, rest and enjoy the landscape from the lodge. In the evening, gather for an included barbecue dinner in a relaxed setting.

Breakfast
Full day at leisure
Tour Captain recommendations
Barbecue dinner

Chapter Seven

Days 17–18 · 1 Night

Auckland Finale

One last harbor city, one final evening together and a departure morning kept simple.

A final harbor, then home.

The Journey closes with Auckland orientation, a farewell evening and a departure morning kept intentionally uncomplicated.

Day 17Auckland & a Farewell Evening

Travel to Auckland in the late morning as New Zealand’s largest city comes into view, its skyline set against Waitematā Harbour, green hills and volcanic cones. After arrival, a short Discovery Walk introduces the immediate neighborhood and helps you feel oriented for the final chapter of the Journey.

The remainder of the afternoon is open to freshen up or explore on your own. Early this evening, gather for final canapés and a farewell celebration with your Tour Captain and fellow travelers, sharing the memories and friendships created across Australia and New Zealand.

Breakfast
Private group transportation
Auckland Discovery Walk
Final canapés

Your farewell evening: dining arrangements vary by hotel collection and will be detailed in your Journey Proposal.

Day 18Departure Day

Enjoy breakfast this morning if your departure schedule allows, then prepare for your onward journey with guidance from your Tour Captain. An optional transfer to Auckland Airport may be arranged for $88 per person.

If you are not ready for the Journey to end, ask a Journey Specialist about extending your stay. Otherwise, depart with the experiences of two countries—and the stories of the people who shared them with you.

Breakfast, schedule permitting
Tour Captain departure guidance
Optional airport transfer: $88 per person
Extension planning available

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Dates & Prices

Choose the departure that feels right.

Our tour commences Sydney, Australia (Airport Code: SYD), and ends in Auckland (Airport Code: AKL). Rates are per person/US dollars. Solo Supplement in Deluxe: $8470. Initial deposit and the cost of on-tour airfare is required at booking and is 100% non-refundable. On Tour Required Air not included in land prices below: $1780 per person (based upon time of booking, air pricing may change, so book early). Consider our Melbourne pre-tour experience: Deluxe $4973 per person. Deluxe | Elevated: $8973 per person.

DELUXESignature CollectionHand-selected 4- and 5-star accommodations along the complete Australia and New Zealand route.

DELUXE | ELEVATEDUpgraded AccommodationsThe same Journey with an elevated Red Centre stay at Longitude 131°; your proposal confirms room and dining inclusions.

2026 Departures 10 dates

There are no remaining 2026 departures. Please consider a 2027 date below.

Feb 17–Mar 6, 2026